Notably, the term “predatory” is used to describe the newly introduced alien species, which some viewers see as a subtle nod to the “Predator” universe. A distinct clicking sound in the trailer has also been compared to the iconic noise made by Predators.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, "Badlands" director Dan Trachtenberg confirms Fanning's character Thia is a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, and he also explains why he chose that over casting the actress as a human.